Undergraduate degree in Computer Science

DEGREES AVAILABLE: Major

photo:: computer science student

Computer science is the catalyst for every evolutionary – and revolutionary – step in computer development.

From mathematical theories, data structures and algorithms to the operating systems and programs that employ them, an understanding of computer science is essential if you wish to develop the next advances in computer technology and applications.

The Computer Science program at UC Irvine is internationally recognized for its unique group of faculty and researchers, outstanding students and cutting edge educational programs.

› Is Computer Science for me?
› What do I take?
› What can I do with this degree?
› Special Programs and Learning Opportunities
› Still not sure?

Is Computer Science for me?

The Computer Science major provides students with an education that focuses on the characteristics of computers and the software that runs them.

Additionally, students may take a variety of courses to broaden their knowledge and/or specialize in particular areas.

For instance, the major is well-suited for in-depth study in traditional topics such as artificial intelligence, advanced data structures, expert systems, and computer graphics, as well as more modern topics such as computational biology and computer games.

↑ Back to top

What do I take?

An undergraduate degree diagram for the Computer Science degree is available.

Major Requirements

Lower-division:

  • Mathematics 2A-B, ICS 6B, ICS 6D, Mathematics 6G or 3A, Statistics 67, Philosophy 29 or 30 or Mathematics 13.
  • ICS 21, 22, 23, 51, 52.
  • A science sequence chosen from Physics 3A-B-C and 3LB-LC; Physics 2, 7C and 7D or 7E with corresponding laboratories; or Chemistry 1A-B-C and 1LC-LD or Chemistry H2A-B-C and H2LA-LB-LC.

Upper-division:

  • ICS 139.
  • CS Core requirements: CS 132; CS 141; CS 142A; CS 143A; CS 151; CS 152; CS 161*; one of CS 162, 163, 164, 167, 168, or 169; CS 171.
  • Three project courses selected from the following list: CS 113, CS 114, CS117, CS 122B, CS 133, CS 142B, CS 143B, CS 153, CS 154, CS 165, CS 175, and Informatics 117.
  • Eight additional upper-division units selected from the following list: CS 111-189, Informatics 102, 111, 113, 115, 117, 118A, 118B, 119, 123, 125, 131, 132, 141, 153, 161, 162, and 163.

This is just one example; students may complete these courses in any order that is consistent with the prerequisites and the actual offerings each year.

You may also view a listing of all our undergraduate courses and witness the breadth and depth of our offerings.

↑ Back to top

What can I do with this degree?

photo:: computer science studentGraduates of the Computer Science program will be in a position to pursue a variety of careers that involve the design and development of embedded systems, programming languages, compilers, networks and operating systems.

They can be principal designers or involved in implementation, typically at companies that design, implement and sell these products. They may find themselves in charge of large-scale deployments and/or customizations at the organizations that use them.

Finally, the strong scientific preparation allows students to become involved in such areas as artificial intelligence and computational biology – whether in graduate school or industry.

Many students also go on to graduate school, continuing their studies, conducting research, and earning graduate degrees in software engineering, computer science, information science, management and law.

↑Back to top

Special Programs and Learning Opportunities

There are several ways to add depth, scope, and experiential learning to your academic program of study. An academic counselor will help you determine the most efficient way to add another major, minor, or concentration to your academic plan, and will refer you to other campus programs and resources that support your interests and future goals.

» CONCENTRATIONS:


  • Engineering and Computer Science in the Global Context

    All Bren School majors in good standing may propose an academic plan that demonstrates the ability to complete the concentration and other requirements for graduation in a reasonable timeframe.

    The globalization of the marketplace for information technology services and products makes it likely that Bren ICS graduates will work in multicultural settings or be employed by companies with extensive international operations, or customer bases. The goal of the concentration is to help students develop and integrate knowledge of the history, language and culture of a country or geographic region outside the United States, through coursework both at UCI and an international host campus, followed by a technology related internship in the host country.

    Application:
    Each student's proposed program of study, specifying coursework and a guided internship experience in a region outside the U.S., must be approved in advance by the Bren School of ICS Associate Dean for Student Affairs. It is expected that each student's proposal will reflect a high degree of planning that includes the guidance of academic counselors and those at the UCI Center for International Education regarding course selection, as well as considerations related to internship opportunities, housing and financial aid. The academic counselors and the Associate Dean will be available to assist qualified students with the development of a satisfactory academic plan, as needed.

    Requirements:
    1. A minimum of eight courses at UCI or at the international campus with an emphasis on the culture, language (if applicable and necessary), history, literature of the country that corresponds to the international portion of the program, international law, international labor policy, global issues, global institutions, global conflict and negotiation and global economics;
    2. A one or two semester sequence of technical courses related to the major and, possibly, cultural, history, and literature courses taken at an international university;
    3. A two month or longer technical internship experience in the same country as the international educational experience.
» MINORS

Students inside and outside of the Bren School of ICS may want to pursue a minor, a coordinated set of courses which together take a student well beyond the introductory level in an academic field, subject, and/or discipline. Note: Some minor requirements may be fulfilled by the student’s major requirements. Some major/minor combinations are not allowed.

» OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONORS-LEVEL STUDY

Students who are majoring in Biomedical Computing, Business Information Management, Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, and Information and Computer Science, and ICS Undeclared Pre-Majors are invited to apply for admission to the Bren School of ICS's introductory honors sequence (ICS H21/H22/H23). These courses provide a uniquely challenging and intimate learning environment in which conventional course material is explored in greater depth.

A student must meet at least one of the following criteria to be eligible to enroll in ICS H21:

  • Minimum 620 on each of 2 of 3 sections of the SAT; or
  • Member of the UCI Campuswide Honors Program; or
  • Verification of score of 3 or higher on AP Computer Science A exam; or

Eligible students will be provided an authorization code (required) for course enrollment at the time of their summer orientation/registration session.

» BREN SCHOOL OF ICS HONORS PROGRAM

Allows juniors and seniors majoring in Computer Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Informatics, or Information and Computer Science to pursue advanced work in one of many research areas.

Students admitted to the program participate in an honors seminar, conduct independent research under the guidance of a faculty member, and write a research paper.

More information about eligibility criteria and benefits of successful completion of the honors program is available at the Honors program web site.

» INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

The School encourages all majors to take advantage of this valuable experience, and faculty advertise many research opportunities every year.

Students are also encouraged to participate in the campus Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), which offers guidance and grant funding for student-proposed independent research, and sponsors programs which provide summer stipends for students working on faculty-guided research.

» CAMPUSWIDE HONORS PROGRAM

Available to selected high-achieving students from all academic majors from their freshman through senior years. For more information see the CHP web site.

» EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAM

Upper-division students have the opportunity to experience different cultures while making progress toward degree objectives through the Education Abroad Program (EAP).

EAP is an overseas study program which operates in cooperation with host universities and colleges throughout the world.

» OTHER PROGRAMS OF INTEREST

↑Back to top

Still not sure?

Prospective and current students interested in learning more about the Bren ICS degree options are encouraged to meet with the Associate Dean, counselors and student ambassadors in the Bren ICS Student Affairs Office.

They will help you determine which of our majors and minors best support your academic strengths and interests.

CONTACT:
Bren ICS Student Affairs Office
Information and Computer Science Building I, Suite 352
Irvine, CA 92697-3430
Phone: (949) 824-5156
Email: ucounsel@uci.edu

↑Back to top